Undefeated US women's volleyball team outplays Japan

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. women's volleyball team crushed Japan in straight sets on Tuesday to stay undefeated and boost their hopes of a first Olympic gold medal.

A U.S. victory against either Russia or Serbia in the semi-finals would set up a probable final against favorites Brazil, who have beaten the United States in the gold-medal match during the past two Olympics.

"We are excited that we are a step closer," said Christa Dietzen, captain of an American team that feels it is better prepared to take on Brazil this time round.

United States eliminated Japan 25-16 25-23 25-22, overcoming steadfast defensive play by the Japanese players who had a 7-point run in the third set.

"When you are playing against a great defensive team like Japan, it takes 4 or 5 swings sometimes for us to put the ball down. We are patient," she told reporters.

U.S. coach Karch Kiraly called Japan the best defensive team in the world. "They have a great fighting spirit. They never give up and that pushes us to our limit," he told reporters at a post-game press conference.

Kiraly, the only person to have won Olympic gold in beach and indoor volleyball, said his team was going at it one match at a time and keeping its expectations in check in the pursuit of the gold medal.

Brazil, who have not lost a single set in the five preliminary games, play China later on Tuesday.

"We can definitely beat them this time," wing spiker Kimberly Hill, one of the tallest U.S. players at 193 cm (6 feet 4 inches), told Reuters.

"The last time we played them it was a five-set match and it wasn't easy. That shows it is going to be a battle whoever wins," she said.

Earlier, Netherlands sent South Korea home in four sets. The Dutch team's coach Giovanni Guidetti saluted his side for not losing confidence in a tough third set, adding that it proved they could make the final.

"This team now believe they can win against every team in the world. They believe in their power and they believe in themselves," he said after the match.

Netherlands will play the winner of Tuesday's Brazil-China showdown in the semis on Thursday before Saturday's final and bronze medal matches.